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Dousing: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ’ง
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dousing

 

[ หˆdaสŠsษชล‹ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

finding water

Dousing refers to the practice of searching for underground sources of water by using a divining rod, which people believe will indicate the location of water. This method is steeped in folklore and is often associated with traditional water-well drilling techniques.

Synonyms

divining, dowser, water witching

Examples of usage

  • The farmer spent hours dousing in hopes of finding a new well.
  • She learned the art of dousing from her grandfather.
  • Many believe dousing is an ancient skill passed down through generations.
Context #2 | Verb

putting out fire

Dousing can also mean to extinguish or put out a flame. This action involves the application of water or another substance to ensure that a fire is completely snuffed out.

Synonyms

extinguish, quench, snuff out

Examples of usage

  • Firefighters quickly doused the flames engulfing the building.
  • He used a bucket of water to douse the small fire in the grill.
  • She doused the campfire before leaving the site.

Translations

Translations of the word "dousing" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น pรชndulo

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคกเฅŒเคœเคฟเค‚เค—

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Wasser suchen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ dowsing

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะดะพัะปั–ะดะถะตะฝะฝั

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ dowsing

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใƒ€ใ‚ฆใ‚ธใƒณใ‚ฐ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท radiesthรฉsie

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ radiestesia

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท sondaj

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋‹ค์šฐ์ง•

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุงู„ุฏูˆุณูŠู†ุบ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ proutkaล™enรญ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ dowsing

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆŽขๆฐด

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ dowsing

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ dowsing

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ััƒะดั‹าฃ ั–ะทะดะตัƒั–

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ“แƒแƒฃแƒ–แƒ˜แƒœแƒ’แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ dowsing

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ radiestesia

Etymology

The term 'dousing' likely originates from the Old French word 'dousser', meaning to moisten or wet, and is influenced by medieval practices of divination. Over time, 'dousing' became associated with the specific practice of locating water, often using a forked stick or a Y-shaped branch. This technique, also known as water witching or divining, has roots in various cultures worldwide and reflects humanity's long-standing quest for water sources. The dual meanings of the word, encompassing both the act of finding water and extinguishing flames, demonstrate its flexible use across different contexts. In modern usage, 'dousing' has also taken on connotations related to various methods of controlling or mitigating fire risks, reflecting advances in firefighting methods and techniques.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,965, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.